Examines both the legends and the facts surrounding the literary and historical figure of Britain's King Arthur. Gr 7-10-In weighing the legend of King Arthur against existing historical and archaeological evidence, Roberts also describes the evolution of the legendary figure through the centuries. Helpful but brief descriptions of period weapons and armor, summaries of various tales such as "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," and excerpts from related literature such as Alfred, Lord Tennyson's "Idylls of the King" broaden the book's usefulness. Unfortunately, the text flows unevenly and is sapped of life by repetitious summarization and generalization and minor errors in punctuation. Source notes at the end of the book are tied only to page numbers, making it necessary for students to read the whole page to determine what specific line or quote they refer to. There is value in Roberts's tenacious assertions of what is fact, fiction, or conjecture. However, if libraries own Kevin Crossley-Holland's The World of King Arthur and His Court (Dutton, 1999), Michael O'Neal's King Arthur (Greenhaven, 1992; o.p.), and Paul Doherty's King Arthur (Chelsea, 1987; o.p.), Roberts's title will be redundant. Nancy Call, Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Aptos, CA Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc. Used Book in Good Condition